A student sample was used in this study. There have been many arguments
in favor and against the convenience samples containing students. Several
authors have enumerated the dangers of using student samples in research
(Beltramini, 1983; Oakes, 1972). These authors have generally cited threats
to external validity as their primary concern, arguing that students are atypical
of the ‘general population’, and that any findings based on student samples
may therefore not be generalizable to other populations (Cunningham
et al., 1974). However, some scholars disagree to this issue. Oakes (1972)
contends that such arguments are specious because, regardless of what population
is sampled, generalization can be made only with caution to other
populations. In fact, a student sample, with its homogeneous characteristics,
is often advocated because its use can increase internal validity (Calder
et al., 1981) and statistical conclusion validity (Judd and Kenny, 1981)
through a reduction in error variance. For this particular study, it is imperative
to use students as respondents.